Tiger Woods, in Shanghai this week for the HSBC Champions tournament, considers travelling the world to be "one of the perks of professional golf."

But the #2.7m event provides further proof that not every star shares that view.

The world's top 50 as at September 12 were all eligible to play, but only 15 have made the trip and Woods is the only American taking part.

"With the travel comes certain challenges, but you also get the chance to sample the passion for golf in other parts of the world," stated the world number one.

Asked if he thought more leading players should embrace the global stage Woods added: "I think a lot do, but at the end of the day it is a personal decision and when you have such a successful tour as we do in the United States, then it is always going to be difficult for other tours to compete."

Woods and world No 2 Vijay Singh are nevertheless the big catches for the sponsors and add real glitter to what is not only the richest golf tournament ever staged in Asia, but also the opening leg of the new European Tour season.

Woods, who is believed to be receiving a fee in excess of #1.2m this week, went straight from his arrival to a clinic at the Sheshan International club, then played nine holes of practice.

His busy day also included a city centre press conference - not surprisingly with hordes of local media in attendance - and then a publicity stunt when he hit balls out into the 580-yard wide Huang Pu river.